Haiti: Earthquakes - Jan 2010

Glide: EQ-2010-000009-HTI

Overview

The earthquake that hit Haiti on 12 Jan 2010 affected almost 3.5 million people, including the entire population of 2.8 million people living in the capital, Port-au- Prince. The Government of Haiti estimates that the earthquake killed 222,570 and injured another 300,572 people. Displacement peaked at close to 2.3 million people, including 302,000 children. At least 188,383 houses were badly damaged and 105,000 were destroyed by the earthquake. Sixty per cent of Government and administrative buildings, 80 per cent of schools in Port-au-Prince and 60 per cent of schools in the South and West Departments were destroyed or damaged. Total earthquake-related loss is estimated at $7.8 billion, equivalent to more than 120 per cent of Haiti’s 2009 gross domestic product. (UN General Assembly, 2 Sep 2011)

According to the Humanitarian Action Plan for Haiti 2014 an estimated 172,000 people remained internally displaced in Haiti in 306 camps at the end of 2013, almost four years after the earthquake. Basic services in camps, including WASH and health, had declined faster than the pace of return or relocation of the displaced. 16,377 displaced families living in 52 camps were considered at high risk of forced evictions. Almost 80,000 people lived in 67 camps considered to be at particularly high risk of flooding, with an additional 30 camps at additional environmental risks.

By mid-2014, an estimated 104,000 people remained internally displaced in 172 camps. Almost 70,000 IDPs were not currently targeted by any return or relocation programs. (OCHA, 31 Jul 2014) By Sep, 85,432 people remained internally displaced in 123 camps. (IOM, 8 Oct 2014)

More than 7 years later, 3% of the population displaced by the earthquake still lives in camps. Meet these men, women and children at the MODSOL camp in Léogane located on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.

Seven years after the terrible earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January 2010, the efforts of the Haitian Government and the international community helped to relocate 301,142 displaced persons (89,739 households)[1] .

Haiti is experiencing a new hurricane season, and recent heavy rains have flooded low land areas, overfilled the water drainage channels and left stagnant water throughout the camp Tabarre ISA, making it an ideal environment for the spread of mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases. By regularly monitoring the humanitarian situation in the displacement camps, the IOM CMO teams identifies the risks faced by the displaced populations.

Contemporary patterns and processes of forced displacement do not easily lend themselves to resolution through the three classic durable solutions of return, local integration or resettlement (or relocation for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)). The underlying dynamics of current complex emergencies defy political solutions and so, according to a recent World Bank study, the average duration of exile for current refugees is 10.3 years.[1]

IOM’s unique position as an intergovernmental or- ganization allows it to work with quality and scale in natural disasters, conflict, and complex emer- gency settings, delivering urgent humanitarian needs. In this capacity, IOM has both operational and coordination roles, and works with partners through all phases of preparedness and response in support of national authorities. Since 2005, IOM has implemented shelter and non-food items (NFI) projects in over 40 countries.

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